Brigden Fair is Oct. 11 - 14, 2024. I will be there to recruit advocates for World Peace. Will also sell T-Shirts and Books. Stop by the Orange Canopy and let me know you've seen my Blog.

The Alternative to War. Ranked #1 in Alternative History

My new release has just hit #1 in Alternative History.

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What Motivates Us in a Time of Need?

I am doing quite well, at the moment.

This pandemic, and the resulting economic strains, it has put on some people has not affected me the way it has many others. I have been collecting OAS and CPP along with the guaranteed income supplement, so my income has not changed. The fact that I am getting the supplement shows that I am in the lowest bracket for those who depend on those age benefits, but it is enough and I believe I am living better than I ever did while employed. I have always lived below the poverty line, but I have never faced starvation and was only homeless for short periods. When it comes to government handouts, I am satisfied with what I have, and I really do not need more. At a time of crisis, let us concentrate on everyone having enough before we go on demanding more.

It seems that a time of crisis brings out the best and the worst in people. Many are working hard to bring this crisis under control. People are struggling and others are helping. People are risking death to keep others from dying. Some are doing without so others will have enough. These are the selfless ones that put others before themselves.

On the other side, we see the greedy. These ones are only concerned with their own well being and could care less if you starve or die of the pandemic. They are the ones who have earned and saved enough, often at the expense of those less fortunate, that they can now afford to go out and hoard goods so they will have plenty at a time of shortage. This action has effected a shortage, so they have caused the event that they prepared themselves for. Our economy is based on supply and demand, so, when demand is high, prices will naturally increase. The ones who could not afford to hoard will now have to pay higher prices if they can get their supplies at all. Manufacturers will benefit from this as the public turns from asking, “Can I get this at a good price?” to “Can I get this?” In this way, we see money siphoned from the poor into the hands of the rich.

Greed also appears among many as they attempt to seek financial benefit from the pandemic. If others are getting aid, they feel they are also entitled, although they do not really need it. It seems strange that those forced out of employment should get more from staying home than those on a fixed income, but, perhaps, their needs are greater. Since I live on a fixed income, I am renting a townhouse with low rent that is within my means. Someone who is paying a much higher rent, or paying off a huge mortgage, may be at risk of losing their homes. They may need temporary help in dollar amounts more than my fixed income. Perhaps, when they are back working again, they should be required to pay a little back each week, but first, let us get through this crisis and see where we stand at that time.

One common thing about people who have succeeded in the financial world is that they tend to turn setbacks into opportunities. Perhaps we do the same with a pandemic. If I start a charity to help those in need, I will look like I am a great guy, and I can pocket some cash myself. That sounds like a win, win situation. Therefore, many false charities arise that earn a lot of money for the charity, but very little gets to the people who need it. This is the epitome of greed. These are ones who take advantage of the disadvantaged for personal gain.

For everything, there is a purpose. Many times, we do not realize what is happening until we analyze it later. During a crisis, our energies are bent on ending the crises. After it is over, we can take time to reflect on what we have learned from it. If we learn our lessons well, the test will not need to be repeated. Unfortunately, humans can be slow learners, and it will take many disasters before we learn our lessons. My greatest fear is that we will not learn what we must at this time and other pandemics, much worse than this one, will fall upon us.

Scripture has foretold of times like these. As I was writing about how this crisis is bringing out the best and the worst of human nature, I could not help but think of the following scripture.

    When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

    Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?”

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

    Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.”

    Then shall they also answer him, saying, “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?”

    Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.       ^{(Matthew 25: 31-46)}

God already knows our hearts. This dividing is for our benefit. By looking within our own hearts, we learn of our true nature, and, if we are wise, we will learn from it before it is too late. We must examine our every action and determine our motivation for such action. Are we working toward self-benefit or are we doing what needs to be done to help everyone? Are we willing to sacrifice to help others or do we expect others to sacrifice for our benefit? Do we see ourselves as individuals or are we a part of a greater whole?

This is not meant to be an easy test where everyone passes. It is tough and it will determine if we have made the grade.

Armageddon

The Common Enemy

Nothing unites people faster than having a common enemy. Today, we have that. It is so small we can’t see it and so horrible that it kills without remorse.

Mankind has had wars and rumours of wars. Although one country, established by war, has been at war through most of its existence, they could find no enemy worse than themselves, and it was the civil war in the 1860’s that caused the most devastation to themselves. But have we learned our lesson?

Throughout the world, we have seen war and disaster. Both natural and manmade catastrophes have caused mayhem in various areas. Yet many of us were comforted by thinking, “It can’t happen here.” Now there is a virus. It started in a small area but has spread worldwide. It is happening everywhere, and if there are pockets of people that have not been affected, they are consumed in the fear of it.

I am not sure what is worse, the virus or the fear of it. I am more afraid of the fear and what that has done, and may yet do, to people. The fear has led to panic and panic leads to doing unreasonable things. At this time, it is more important than ever to remain calm, so I am not going to talk about the evils of this enemy, but I want to concentrate on how it is bringing us together in a world unity never before seen.

What has kept me calm is the knowledge that God is in control. Yes, I may catch the virus and I may die, but this life on earth is for a short time and we have eternity to think about. When God decides that it is time to call me home, I will be thrilled to go.

Yet, such days as these have been prophesied in the traditions of most religions. It is a sign of God’s displeasure. At a time when so many have turned their backs on God, when some deny His existence, and others start wars in His name, is it not the time for a wakeup call? He has, more recently, sent us a message of love and unity. He has told us he doesn’t want us to fight and that we must learn to get along together. Those of us who have heard the call have been given the task to spread it to others. Yet denial and stubbornness have resisted the call, and apathy has caused us to turn elsewhere for answers.

Have we finally reached the days of Armageddon? We were expecting a great foe but not one that was so small we couldn’t see it. We did not know it could hide on friends and relations. Those on the front lines of the most dangerous war we ever fought must constantly screen themselves to be assured that the enemy is not taking a ride on their own bodies. Without training, they are finding themselves thrust to the front line fighting an enemy that they know little about.

This is an amazing unity that the world has never seen. All over the world, the scene is being played out. Doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and everyone else in the medical profession has been called to the front to combat the enemy. All others stand in support of these fighters. In this, the whole world stands as one. Yet there are a few who would sow seeds of dissension. I have heard the rumors of conspiracy, seen the actions of greed, witnessed panic-stricken individuals out the protect themselves without thought of how it would affect others. But let us not concentrate on that. These are seeds sown by the enemy. We need to stand united to win this war. This time it is the entire population of the earth that is under attack and we must unite in our efforts if we want to eradicate the enemy.

In Matthew 24 verse 22 we find these words of comfort. “except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” We know that God loves us. Although we may be witnessing the results of our error, we know that God will intervene and protect us from our own selves when necessary. He is patiently waiting for us to return His love. Unless we love Him, we can never feel the love He has for us.

Social distancing means that we can no longer gather for prayer, but we can still pray. More and more online prayer meetings are being arranged, so we can still pray together. Those who have been housebound due to injury or illness, and not been able to attend physical meetings,  can now join us.

This current crisis has given us an opportunity to unite. Let us now take advantage of this so we can shorten the days and prevent future crises.